Hansen the hero as Ireland deal Aussies 3rd loss in row

Fullback Mack Hansen scored a hat-trick of tries in the first half to set Ireland on their way to a convincing 46-19 victory over beleaguered Australia in their Autumn international on Saturday.

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Ireland full-back Mack Hansen, right, celebrates with centre Robbie Henshaw after scoring their first try. AFP

(AFP)

It was a second win for Ireland in the November series after last week’s triumph over Japan, while the Wallabies have now lost three in a row after being beaten by England and Italy.

The 27-year-old Hansen, who moved from Australia where he played for the ACT Brumbies to compete for Ireland for whom he qualifies through his Cork-born mother, crossed the line three times in the opening 28 minutes at a rainy Dublin Arena.

Captain Caelen Doris, Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw scored Ireland’s other tries while Sam Prendergast kicked a drop goal and two conversions, and his replacement Jack Crowley added a penalty and three conversions.